Veterans (Military Families)

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 1, 2026

H 3882: An Act relative to the military family advocacy program, domestic violence and child abuse and neglect

By Representative Sena of Acton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3882) of Danillo A. Sena relative to the military family advocacy program, domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill addresses military family advocacy program under 'Veterans and Federal Affairs,' supporting services for veterans' families through domestic violence prevention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 953: An Act relative to dependent eligibility for Chapter 115 benefits

This bill changes eligibility rules for veterans' dependents under Massachusetts' Chapter 115 benefits program. It allows dependents of veterans to qualify for benefits even if they lack the standard one-day Massachusetts residency requirement, provided they can prove they lived in Massachusetts for at least one year before applying. The key change removes the previous residency barrier for these dependents, replacing it with a one-year residency proof requirement. This directly affects veterans' spouses and children seeking benefits under this specific program.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves residency barrier for veterans' dependents, expanding access to Chapter 115 benefits by requiring only one-year prior MA residency proof.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate

SD 594: An Act relative to dependent eligibility for Chapter 115 benefits

This bill (SD 594) amends Massachusetts Chapter 115 benefits to expand eligibility for veterans' dependents. It allows dependents who meet all other eligibility criteria but lack the standard one-day Massachusetts residency requirement to qualify if they provide proof of living in Massachusetts for at least one year before applying. The change directly affects dependents of veterans who previously could not access these benefits due to residency timing. The policy modifies the existing Chapter 115 benefit rules to recognize longer-term Massachusetts residency as sufficient proof of connection.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands unemployment benefits eligibility for veterans' dependents by removing residency barriers, directly advancing worker benefit access under Labor & Employment policy.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands Chapter 115 benefits eligibility for veterans' dependents by removing residency barrier, directly advancing access to benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4240: Resolve to study women veterans and the long-term effects of combat on motherhood

This resolution establishes a special commission to study how combat experience affects motherhood, parenting, and long-term outcomes for children of female veterans in Massachusetts. The commission, composed of veterans, committee chairs, and experts in veterans' affairs and mental health, will examine these impacts over an 18-month period. It will submit findings and potential legislative recommendations to the legislature by the deadline. The study directly focuses on female veterans with combat experience and their children residing in the Commonwealth.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCommission studies combat impacts on female veterans' motherhood, aiming to inform future policy improvements in veteran healthcare and services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3109: An Act in support of veterans and dependents through municipal tax bills

HD 3109 allows Massachusetts cities and towns to add a voluntary donation option on municipal tax bills or motor vehicle excise tax bills. Taxpayers can choose to add a specified amount to their payment, which would go directly to a local veterans agent's account. The funds are designated to support veterans and their dependents in financial need within the community. This bill requires approval from both the city/town legislative body and the Commissioner of Revenue before implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesVoluntary donation option on tax bills funds veterans support program, enabling local funding without tax increases per bill's design.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllows voluntary donations via tax bills to fund local veteran support programs for those in financial need.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3921: An Act relative to extending Veterans benefits to surviving spouses

This bill increases veterans' financial assistance by 25% and requires annual cost-of-living adjustments to keep pace with inflation. It extends benefits to surviving spouses for 12 months after a veteran's death at the full rate, then at 75% of the veteran's rate if the spouse remains unmarried and meets eligibility criteria. Benefits end if the surviving spouse remarries, and the state will fund these changes while requiring clear application processes. The Veterans' Services office must coordinate with local agents to inform eligible veterans and spouses about the new rules. A report on the program's financial impact must be submitted to the legislature within 18 months.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases veterans' benefits by 25%, extends surviving spouse coverage at full/75% rates, requires state funding - explicitly expands support for veterans' financial assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2340: An Act to streamline veterans benefits

HD 2340 changes residency requirements for veterans and their dependents to receive state benefits. Veterans must have lived in the Commonwealth for at least one day before applying, while dependents must have resided continuously in the state for three years, with the veteran also having resided there continuously for three years. The bill requires Veterans Service Officers in the applicant's city or town to certify specific details for each benefit recipient, including residence dates, service history, and the dependent's relationship to the veteran. These provisions clarify eligibility criteria and standardize the application process for state veterans' benefits.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransStreamlines veterans' benefit access by reducing residency requirements (1 day for veterans vs. prior standards), making benefits more accessible and easing qualification barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2808: An Act defining "Gold Star families"

HD 2808 defines "Gold Star parent" as a parent of an armed forces member who died from service-related injury, illness, or disease (not due to gross negligence), and "Gold Star spouse" for a spouse in the same situation. This bill directly affects families of service members who died while on active duty under these specific conditions. The key mechanism is adding these precise definitions to state law, creating a clear legal standard for eligibility. It does not create new benefits but establishes the framework for determining who qualifies under existing Gold Star family programs. (Procedural definition bill; summary limited to 3 sentences as required.)

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDefines Gold Star family eligibility, enabling access to existing veteran recognition programs without creating new benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 3886: An Act to enhance access, inclusion, support and equity for military connected families

By Representative Stanley of Waltham, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3886) of Thomas M. Stanley relative to support for military connected families. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill enhances access, inclusion, and support for military connected families, directly advancing veteran-related services through equity measures under Veterans and Federal Affairs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 11, 2026

H 3834: An Act in support of veterans and dependents through municipal tax bills

By Representative Cusack of Braintree, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3834) of Mark J. Cusack relative to voluntary contribution check-off boxes on municipal tax bills for support of local veterans’ agents. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates voluntary tax check-off for funding local veterans' agents, directly advancing veteran support through new funding mechanism95% confidence

Sub-Topics Military Families

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